Group head
Ms Lisa McGlynn
What we do
The Health Group develops and maintains national data to support monitoring and reporting on the health of Australians. This includes monitoring the determinants of health, health status and diseases, and related quality of life. The group reports on the health of populations and chronic disease monitoring, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, arthritis and asthma. It also reports on related health services such as cancer screening and primary care. It carries primary responsibility for producing the flagship biennial health publication Australia's health and coordinates the AIHW's international work for the OECD and the WHO.
Major achievements
During 2011–12, major achievements of the group were:
- publishing Australia's health 2012 and its Australia's health 2012 in brief companion publication, following changes in planning and production processes
- developing 2 significant reports containing data that have been projected forward to 2020 to help with health service planning and resource allocation:
- releasing the first report on Cancer in adolescents and young adults in Australia, which provides an evidence base to underpin improvements in cancer outcomes for 15–29 year olds
- disseminating data through accessible website snapshots on subjects including allergic rhinitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, male health, and chronic kidney disease
- publishing a report on male health issues that contributed to the development of Australia's first National Male Health Policy
- providing data and data quality statements for all AIHW data supplied for the COAG National Agreements Performance Indicators
- providing data and technical advice relating to several COAG National Partnership Agreements Performance Indicators
- continuing to develop data quality statements for all data supplied by the AIHW for the SCRGSP's Report on government services 2012.
Units in this group
- Cancer and Screening
- Cardiovascular, Diabetes and Kidney
- e-Health
- Population Health
- Primary Health and Respiratory and Musculoskeletal Monitoring
Cancer and Screening Unit
Unit heads
Ms Chris Sturrock (to May 2012)
Ms Anne Bech (acting from May 2012)
What we do
The Cancer and Screening Unit monitors, investigates and reports on cancer incidence, mortality, survival and prevalence as well as population-based cancer screening indicators. This includes maintaining the Australian Cancer Database as part of the National Cancer Statistics Clearing House in collaboration with the Australasian Association of Cancer Registries. The unit is responsible for annual monitoring of the national breast cancer, bowel cancer and cervical screening programs. In addition, the unit is responsible for the National Centre for Monitoring Cancer.
Objectives
- Produce comprehensive and timely national cancer statistical reports
- Provide timely, accessible national cancer data online
- Prepare timely national, state and territory performance indicators for the national screening programs for breast, cervical and bowel cancer
- Extend available national cancer statistics
Performance in planned data development activities
- Reviewed all systems and processes for the Australian Cancer Database
- Developed the Cancer (population-based) National Minimum Data Set
- Developed user-friendly accessible cancer data online
- Sought to expand the availability of cancer information at the national level
- Undertook data development for the national cancer screening program data sets
- Revised the National Cervical Cancer Prevention Dataset
- Produced a comprehensive data dictionary for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Additional projects
- Began preparing a report on breast cancer, to be published in 2012–13
- Prepared for publication National Centre for Monitoring Cancer Framework 2012, for release in July 2012
Committees
- Cancer Monitoring Advisory Group: Secretariat for this AIHW advisory committee chaired by Professor Jim Bishop (Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre)
- Australasian Association of Cancer Registries Executive Committee: Secretariat for this committee chaired by Professor Alison Venn (Menzies Research Institute Tasmania)
- National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Advisory Group: Member of this DoHA group chaired by Ms Melinda Bromley (DoHA)
- Safety Monitoring Committee for the revised National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines for women with abnormal Pap tests: Member of this committee of the Screening Sub-committee under AHMAC, chaired by Professor
David Roder, AM (University of South Australia)
Data collections managed
- Australian Cancer Database
- BreastScreen Australia Database
- National Cervical Cancer Screening Database
- National Bowel Cancer Screening Database
Cardiovascular, Diabetes and Kidney Unit
Unit heads
Ms Susana Senes
Dr Lynelle Moon
What we do
The Cardiovascular, Diabetes and Kidney Unit undertakes national monitoring of the three diseases, including analysis of incidence and prevalence, mortality, morbidity, functioning and disability, risk factors, and associated health services. This work is carried out through the National Centre for Monitoring Cardiovascular Disease, the National Centre for Monitoring Diabetes (including the National Diabetes Register) and the National Centre for Monitoring Chronic Kidney Disease.
Objectives
- Continue to provide high quality, policy-relevant analysis of existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney data, including on prevention and health inequalities where possible
- Continue to develop a broader range of products to better meet the varied needs of the AIHW's audiences, including short summaries of publications, fact sheets, better use of the AIHW's website and delivery of presentations at relevant conferences
- Build on the solid base of the National Diabetes Register to extend its scope and use
- Continue to work with linked administrative data sets, wherever possible, to demonstrate the benefit and usefulness of information obtained through analysing data in this way
Additional projects
Committees
- Cardiovascular Disease Monitoring Advisory Committee: Secretariat for this National Centre for Monitoring Cardiovascular Disease committee, chaired by Professor Andrew Tonkin (Monash University)
- Chronic Kidney Disease Monitoring Advisory Committee: Secretariat for this National Centre for Monitoring Chronic Kidney Disease advisory committee, chaired by Associate Professor Tim Mathew (Kidney Health Australia)
- National Diabetes Data Working Group: Secretariat for this National Centre for Monitoring Diabetes committee, chaired by Associate Professor Jeff Flack (University of New South Wales)
Data collections managed
- National Diabetes Register
Spotlight
Diabetes on the rise but causing fewer deaths
While diabetes has increased significantly in Australia over the past 20 years, the rate of diabetes-related deaths is falling.
The AIHW's web pages Diabetes indicators in Australia were released in February 2012, and revealed that the prevalence of diabetes in the Australian population increased from 1.5% to 4.1% over the 20 years to 2007–08. However, diabetes-related deaths dropped by 18% between 1997 and 2007.
Diabetes is a long-term (or chronic) condition marked by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body to convert glucose into energy.
Diabetes represents an enormous public health and social burden, and is one of the top 10 causes of death in Australia. It can trigger a range of complications, which can lead to a range of disabilities and reduce quality of life and life expectancy.
People with diabetes either don't produce any insulin (Type 1 diabetes), don't produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively (Type 2 diabetes) to break down glucose in the blood. In all cases, blood sugar levels become high.
Around 87% of all people diagnosed with diabetes in Australia have Type 2 diabetes.
Maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough exercise and eating the right amounts of fruit and vegetables help to manage the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
For more information see Diabetes indicators in Australia
e-Health Unit
Unit head
Mr Gordon Tomes
What we do
The e-Health Unit scans the national information environment in the areas of health, welfare, housing, disability and community services. It contributes to the continual improvement in the statistical use of data to support better health and welfare outcomes. The Unit provides advice and leads the AIHW's engagement with e-health initiatives.
Objectives
- Play a leading role in developing a framework for the statistical uses of data generated in the e-health environment
- Support the AIHW in using the e-health infrastructure for the supply of health information for statistics and research
| Performance in planned statistical and reporting deliverables |
Publish a report on a framework for the future supply of statistical data from the e-health infrastructure
|
Removed from the work program
Funding not available
|
Publish a report on the status of the alignment of the system of health concepts, used for e-health, with the existing statistical classifications for health
|
Removed from the work program
Funding not available
|
Publish a report on secondary use service data provisioning arrangements for statistical data supply (jointly with the National E-Health Transition Authority)
|
Not achieved
Activity suspended
|
Publish a working paper on the statistical use of e-discharge summary data
|
Work in progress
To be published in 2012–13
|
Performance in planned data development activities
- Worked with the National E-Health Transition Authority and Standards Australia to ensure that the needs of the statistical community are embedded in the design and implementation of the information infrastructure of the National
E-Health Strategy to support:
- data development to enhance electronic clinical communication between health-care providers
- specifications for e-health infrastructure and information models that represent clinical concepts
Committees
- National Health Information Regulatory Framework Working Group: Support for the AIHW observer to this working group of the National E-Health Information and Performance Principal Committee
- Joint Standing Committee on Health Informatics Standards: Support for the AIHW member to this committee of the E-Health Standing Committee; the joint standing committee is co-chaired by
Dr David Filby (Chair, National Health Information Standards and Statistics Committee) and Mr Peter Williams (Chair, National Health Chief Information Officers Forum)
Population Health Unit
Unit head
Mr Mark Cooper-Stanbury (to September 2011)
Ms Ann Hunt (from September 2011)
What we do
The Population Health Unit develops and reports information on the health of the Australian population and priority subpopulations, and on health inequalities. The unit takes a 'population health' approach to its work in monitoring chronic diseases and associated determinants of health, managing topic-specific population health surveys and the National Mortality Database, supporting the AIHW's use of demographic and survey data, and providing official Australian data to the OECD and the WHO. The unit also undertakes specific projects in the areas of food and nutrition, and hosts the National Centre for Monitoring Mandatory Folic Acid and Iodine Fortification.
Objectives
- Develop Australia's capacity to undertake national surveillance of chronic diseases and associated determinants of health
- Support the AIHW's work on health inequalities, including the social determinants of health, and the health of specific populations
- Contribute to improved national understanding of significant gender health issues through monitoring, analysing and disseminating gender health data
- Build the capacity to monitor food and nutrition, including the effects of the mandatory fortification of food with folic acid and iodine
- Support international and AIHW requirements for population health and related data, ABS unit record files and national cause of death data
Performance in planned data development activities
- Redeveloped the General Record of Incidence of Mortality (GRIM) workbook system
- Contributed to international reporting and information development
- Developed a proposal for the third and fourth bulletins on male health
- Provided project support to the Population Health Information Development Group
Additional projects
- Published:
- Prepared publications on:
- Produced a working paper for DoHA outlining options for reporting on chronic disease using Australian Health Survey data from the ABS
- Produced two working papers for DoHA on matters related to a study on the national burden of disease
- Produced an interactive online database as a guide to tobacco-smoking data sources and alcohol data sources
- Produced an online virtual report card for the key indicators of progress for monitoring chronic disease (for release in July 2012)
- Prepared ABS population statistics and related material for internal use (Excel workbooks)
Committees
- Interim Food and Nutrition Sub-Committee: Observer to this subcommittee of the Community Care and Population Health Principal Committee; the subcommittee is chaired by Dr Jeannette Young (Queensland Health)
- Australasian Mortality Data Interest Group: Member of this interest group chaired by Associate Professor James Harrison
(Flinders University)
Data collections managed
- AIHW National Mortality Database
- AIHW Population Database
- Adult Vaccination Surveys Data Collection (legacy data sets)
- Pandemic Vaccination Survey Data Collection (legacy data set)
- Selected veterans and defence health databases and nominal rolls (legacy data sets)
- Chronic Disease Indicators Database
- Database on sources of anthropometric, alcohol and tobacco data
Spotlight
The health of Australia's males: a focus on five population groups
The health of Australia's males: a focus on five population groups was launched in June 2012 at the Murrumbateman Men's Shed by the Minister for Indigenous Health, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, as part of Men's Health Week.
The second report in an AIHW series on the health of Australia's males found that certain groups of Australian males are at higher risk of poor health than other males…
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males have a life expectancy of 67 years—11.5 years less than non-Indigenous males. Higher rates of chronic diseases, such as lung cancer, diabetes and kidney disease, and health conditions that are uncommon in the general population, such as scabies, trachoma and acute rheumatic fever, contribute to this.
Males in remote areas also generally have shorter life expectancy and poorer self-assessed health status. As remoteness increases, so too do several health-related factors, including rates of obesity, tobacco smoking and risky alcohol consumption. There are more new cases of lung cancer, hospitalisations for Type 2 diabetes, and deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and suicide.
Males living in low socioeconomic areas generally have a shorter life expectancy. As socioeconomic disadvantage increases, so too do rates of obesity and tobacco smoking. There are more new cases of lung cancer, hospitalisations for Type 2 diabetes and deaths from coronary heart disease, lung cancer, coronary obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and suicide.
But some groups enjoy better health.
Males born overseas have fewer risk factors and lower overall mortality and hospitalisations.
Older males (aged 65 and over) are living longer than ever before, and generally have fewer risk factors than younger males.
Primary Health and Respiratory and Musculoskeletal Monitoring Unit
Unit head
Dr Adrian Webster (to April 2012)
Mr Mark Cooper-Stanbury (from April 2012 to June 2012)
Ms Louise York (from June 2012)
What we do
The Primary Health and Respiratory and Musculoskeletal Monitoring Unit is responsible for monitoring and reporting on three health areas:
- Primary health care: The unit is responsible for contributing to improving the primary health care information available nationally. This includes engaging with key stakeholders on a variety of data development activities related to primary health care and acting as data custodian for the historical data of the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health survey of general practice.
- Chronic respiratory conditions including asthma: The unit monitors asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other chronic respiratory conditions nationally in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring (ACAM) at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research.
- Musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis and osteoporosis: The AIHW National Centre for Monitoring Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions undertakes surveillance and monitoring of various bone and joint conditions in Australia. The centre is a source of statistical information about various musculoskeletal conditions and their associated problems.
Objectives
- Conduct national monitoring of asthma and linked respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Conduct national monitoring of musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis and osteoporosis
- Improve access to primary health care information nationally, particularly about the establishment of Medicare Locals, which are primary health care organisations established to coordinate primary health care delivery and tackle local health care needs and service gaps
- Be a reliable source of information on the epidemiology of respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions, and on the health care needs of people with these conditions
- Generate data to track the effects of health policy and prevention and management strategies on respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions and primary health care
- Promote and apply uniform statistical standards, methods and definitions for respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions and primary health care
- Promote improvements in primary health care information, including working with stakeholders to identify data needs, gaps and options for data development
Performance in planned data development activities
- Contributed to data development activities relating to the establishment of Medicare Locals and the related reporting infrastructure
- Contributed to data development relating to National Healthcare Agreement performance indicators where relevant to primary health care or respiratory or musculoskeletal conditions
- Improved national data collections for respiratory conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other related chronic respiratory diseases
- Contributed to the development of data about musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis and osteoporosis
Additional projects
- Provided advice to the ACT Medicare Local to support its plans to develop information about local area population health needs
- Managed the relationship between the AIHW and the ACAM, an AIHW collaborating unit
Committees
- National Asthma and Linked Chronic Respiratory Conditions Monitoring Advisory Group: Secretariat for this advisory group chaired by Professor Carol Armour (The University of Sydney)
- National Centre for Monitoring Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions Advisory Group: Secretariat for this committee chaired by Professor Graeme Jones (Menzies Research Institute Tasmania)
- National Advisory Committee for the Centre of Research Excellence in accessible and equitable primary health service provision in rural and remote Australia: Support to the AIHW member of this Monash University School of Rural Health committee chaired by Professor John Humphreys (Monash University)
- Victorian Community Health Indicator Project Group: Support to the AIHW member of this Victorian Department of Health group chaired by Mr Paul Ireland (Victorian Quality Council)
Data collections managed
- Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) survey data (historical collections before 1 July 2011), as data custodian